Broncos' offense vs. Seahawks' defense
This is the show everyone has come to see. Denver features the greatest offense in NFL history, while Seattle ranks No. 1 in defense.

Peyton Manning, at 37 years old, set records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) in what was the greatest season ever for a quarterback. But he's more known for his big-time regular-season production than for his playoff exploits -- he's just 11-11 in the postseason -- and will be looking to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

The Seahawks will be a stiff test, though. They have the best secondary in the league, led by the best corner in the league -- according to Richard Sherman, anyway. And there are reasons to believe him. He's a lock-down corner who had a league-best eight interceptions despite being targeted just 58 times. That pick rate of 13.8 percent is more than double the third-ranked corner, Brandon Boykin, according to the Wall Street Journal.

But it's not just him. Kam Chancellor is merciless at safety at 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, and Earl Thomas is one of the best young safeties in the game.

It's the classic battle of strength versus strength, and the winner should decide the game. It's hard to pick against Manning, who has been splendid this season and, at his age, knows this could be his final hurrah on the big stage.

Advantage: Broncos

Broncos' defense vs. Seahawks offense
The Seahawks aren't historically elite, like Denver, but they are no slouch offensively. Russell Wilson already has won more games than any other QB in his first two seasons during the Super Bowl era.

His receivers leave something to be desired, but tailback Marshawn Lynch earned his "Beast Mode" moniker this year by rushing 301 times, second in the NFL. He eclipsed 1,200 yards for the third straight season.

If he's effective against the Broncos, Seattle could keep Manning -- the guy most likely to beat you -- off the field.

The Broncos finished seventh in run defense (101.6 yards), so that could be a tough matchup. But they were just 27th against the pass, due in part to an aging secondary. It would behoove Wilson to target the aging Champ Bailey, who is 35 and has looked every day of it down the stretch this season.

Advantage: Seahawks

Special teams
The teams are nearly identical here, and in a good way. Both are outstanding on kick and punt coverage/returns, and feature nearly automatic field-goal kickers in Denver's Matt Prater (25 of 26) and Seattle's Steven Hauschka (33 of 35).

Advantage: Push

Intangibles
Seattle would seem to be better equipped for the winter elements, as a team predicated on defense and rushing the football. Snow, rain, sleet or some combination of the three shouldn't impair what the Seahawks do best.

The Broncos, on the other hand, rely on their All-Pro quarterback to sling the football around, and that could be affected if the weather turns unfavorable.

Denver could catch a break, with temperatures supposed to be as high as the 40s at kickoff.

And you have to like experience in a game such as this, with so much on the line and two weeks to think about it. I would always trust a 37-year-old has been on this stage before -- twice -- than the second-year pro making his first venture into the Super Bowl.

Advantage: Broncos

The pick
These guys have had microphones in their faces for two weeks. They've had their every move and every word scrutinized. They can't leave their hotel rooms without running into some kind of distraction.

There are so many variables weighing on a Super Bowl that these games often are not decided by who was the best team at all. It's who best can stand the heat. I think that's especially true in an outdoor game in the world's biggest media market.

And that's why I'm going with Denver.

Wilson is good, and so are the Seahawks, and they very well could win this game. But that's the more unlikely outcome of the two scenarios.

Manning is better, and better prepared for this environ. The man gets his hardware, cementing his place among the all-time greats to have played this game.